By Ruben A.Veloria

 

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – The residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey docked at this Freeport on Tuesday morning as its maiden ship call here.

Officials and employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), along with representatives from the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, and other stakeholders, welcome the passengers and crew of the cruise ship M/V Villa Vie Odyssey.

Some 650 passengers disembarked from the cruise ship will be staying until tomorrow, while her passengers visit the many tourism destinations here.

The Villa Vie Odyssey is a residential cruise ship offering a unique, full-time world cruise experience for residents, or “global residents,” who purchase cabins for long-term stays, rather than traditional shorter cruises.

Once known as the Braemar, the 924-passenger ship was purchased by Villa Vie Residences in 2023 and underwent a significant refurbishment before its 2024 launch.

The ship is designed to be smaller than mega-ships, allowing access to smaller, unique ports, and features a variety of amenities, including dining, pools, a gym with Peloton bikes, and community spaces for activities like art and fitness classes.